ABU DHABI // TransAD today will announce new taxi fares. Abu Dhabi's taxi rates are the lowest in the Gulf region, according to the taxi regulator. The meter for a standard silver taxi starts at Dh2.60 (US$. 71) and increases by 65 fils per kilometre. Fares are slightly higher at night. In Dubai, meters start at Dh3 during the day, or Dh3.50 at night, and then increases by Dh1.60.
Fares for Abu Dhabi's gold and white cabs, which are slowly being phased out and will be off roads by 2012, are unlikely to change. TransAD introduced its new general manager, Abdullah Sultan al Sabbagh, yesterday. Mr al Sabbagh is formerly the executive director of Cars Group of Companies, which operates taxis around the UAE, including Abu Dhabi. He was appointed to the position by Abdullah Rashid al Otaiba, the chairman of the Department of Transport, and replaces Khalid al Rashedi, who oversaw the introduction of the silver taxi service to the emirate in Nov 2007.
So far the regulator has set out new rules and regulations, made a plan to phase out the old gold and white cabs and bring in silver taxis, set up a taxi inspection system and created an inspection manual for both old and new taxis. TransAD also created a complaints procedure and in November launched the first phase of a new tracking and dispatch system. At the start of the year there were more than 3,000 of the silver cabs operating in the emirate. Eventually there will be more than 7,000.
mchung@thenational.ae
